Current weather

Crawford sewer construction nears completion

Regional and health reporter

Contractors working in Oglethorpe County on installing sewer lines are nearly finished with laying pipes in Lexington and hope to have the entire project wrapped up by February.

“We’re probably about 90 percent done in Lexington with everything we’re going to do here,” said Ricky Blevins, an inspector with Peoples and Quigley Inc., an engineering firm working on the project.

“The weather’s been good and we’ve got some good contractors out here every day,” Blevins said.

Once completed, the Crawford sewer lines and sewage treatment plant will serve not just Crawford, but also run along U.S. Highway 78 to Lexington, serving businesses and residents in that city, as well as Oglethorpe County schools.

The sewer line construction was a little disruptive in Lexington, but it was exciting to see the work progress, said Oglethorpe County Commission Chairman Billy Pittard.

“I’m actually a little more excited that I thought I would be,” Pittard said.

Laying the sewer lines also alerted the city to some storm drain problems that can be fixed before they degrade further and cause damage to the highway, he said.

Contractors will move down U.S. 78 during the next phase of construction, said Cary Fordyce, Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce president.

About 45 Lexington residents already have signed on for sewer service, Fordyce said.

“I think the number they were shooting for there was 40,” he said.

Officials expect a greater demand for sewer in Crawford, but can’t yet say how many people have signed up, he said.

While construction of the sewer lines is on schedule and could be finished by February, construction on Crawford’s sewage treatment plant is slated for completion next summer and will have the ability to handle 250,000 gallons of wastewater per day.

OnlineAthens.com aims to foster constructive, respectful civic conversation. With your help, we will provide a friendly, safe, easy to use place on the Web for everyone in the area to share not only opinions but also information of community interest. Racist, harassing, abusive and libelous comments will not be tolerated.